Tag Archives: summer destination

The Three Islands (Naked, Guyam, and Daku) are Siargao’s little jewels that visitors must visit. Spending a day would be perfect for these three treasures. It is located in General Luna, Siargao. They are just few minutes from General Luna via motorized boat.

How To Get There:From Cebu by plane – There is daily flight from Cebu to Siargao via Cebu Pacific Air. Travel time is around 45 mins to 1 hour depending on the weather condition. From Sayak Airport, you can take a van or single motorcycle going to your respective accommodation. I suggest that you stay in General Luna town. From Cebu by Boat – Take the ship going to Surigao (check on Cokaliong Shipping Schedules on Shipping Schedule Tab). It would take 10 to 12 hours travel time; and from Surigao take the boat going to Dapa, Siargao. There are daily schedules going to Dapa via various boat and fast craft operators. In going to the islands, you can charter a boat for island hopping that would range to 1,000 to 2,000 for a day, depending on the number of visitors. To book a boat and siargao tour, you can contact our guide. His name is Longlong (local name for “Boy”). You can reach him through mobile numbers: +639466487954 or +639184738138.

Naked Island Naked Island is technically a sand bar. You cannot hardly see it from afar, but once you get close to it, you would probably say the same thing I said, “wow!”

Daku Island Daku Island is the largest island among the three. Its land area might be the reason behind its name – “Daku” which means big. You can rent a cottage and can even spend a night on this island. It is the only inhabited island among the three.

Guyam Island Guyam Island is an island as small as Naked Island but unlike naked it has coconut trees and other plants existing on the island.

Once you decide to travel Siargao, make sure that you have included these three jewels in your bucket list. It would be fun spending a day hopping on these treasures – Sun bathing on Naked Island, playing beach volleyball and have your meal in a cottage on Daku Island, and have your siesta on Guyam Island. – that would be quite of an experience.

Magpupungko Tidal Pool is located in Pilar, Siargao. It is around an hour travel from the tourist hub of Siargao, General Luna. It is a salt water pool in a beach that is made out of rock formation. The best time to visit this place is during low tide – the beauty of magpupungko unveils during low tide.

How To Get There:From Cebu by plane – There is daily flight from Cebu to Siargao via Cebu Pacific Air. Travel time is around 45 mins to 1 hour depending on the weather condition. From Sayak Airport, you can take a van or single motorcycle going to your respective accommodation. From Cebu by Boat – Take the ship going to Surigao (check on Cokaliong Shipping Schedules on Shipping Schedule Tab). It would take 10 to 12 hours travel time; and from Surigao take the boat going to Dapa, Siargao. There are daily schedules going to Dapa via various boat and fast craft operators.

What To Expect: If you are staying somewhere near Cloud 9 or General Luna and is planning to visit Magpupungko, expect about 40% rough road when travelling to the place as they are currently improving their road network. I suggest that it would be better to visit the farther destination first, i.e. Taktak falls which is located in Santa Monica.

Fees and Fares: You can pay the entrance fee in Magpupugko in a small outpost, as shown in the image above, near the gate. You can bring your own food but there are food stalls available in the place if you prefer to buy food there or if you do not have enough time to prepare it.

Entrance Fee: 50 per person.

Habal2x/Motorcycle Fare:You can charter a habal-habal (motorcycle) in going to the place from General Luna or Cloud 9. They usually ask for 1,000 to 1,300 php depending on your nego skills. On our case, we agreed on 1,000 bux for a day tour of all Siargao’s destinations – Taktak Falls, Pacifico Beach, Crocodile Breeding Area, and Cloud 9. You can actually contact our motorcycle driver/guide for arranging your Siargao itinerary. His name is Longlong (local name for “Boy”). You can reach him through mobile numbers: +639466487954 or +639184738138.

Here Are Some of the Images We Captured In Magpupungko The inviting waters in magpupungko This reminded me of Enchanted River’s blue waters.

The Other side of the lagoon.

Having Some Fun!

Here are some images of the Magpupungko Beachfront.

Magpupungko is indeed a hidden jewel of Siargao. You should include this in your itinerary once you visit the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. Remember, Siargao isn’t just paradise for surfers, it is also heaven to the happy feet!

Sabin Resort Hotel is a family/business/leisure resort hotel located in Bantigue, Ormoc City, Leyte. It is just around a km or 2 from the city proper. If you want a peaceful environment with a stunning view of Ormoc Bay and the beautiful mountainous terrain in Merida and Isabel Leyte, then choosing Sabin resort would be the only perfect option. The resort offers wide variety of services that could cater to different tourists. They offer good food and offers excellent accommodation that is comparable to top hotel resorts in the island.

Let me take you on a tour of this little kept paradise. Here are some photos below:

Sabin Resort Hotel is valuable to me personally because this is the place where me and my girlfriend spent our first few moments as official lovers. I made her say “yes” to my proposal for us to be officially “in a relationship.” The romantic ambiance of the place might have been very helpful. By the way, the photos above was during our second visit at the resort. We celebrated my girlfriend’s birthday there.

Anyways, if you happen to be visiting Ormoc or Leyte, then visit Sabin Resort Hotel. You would surely love your stay here.

How to get here? Please refer to my previous entry about Ormoc City for more directions.

Island Hopping, in a more popular term, is one of Cebuano’s favorite daytime activity. We love to hit the beaches and conquer shores. Every weekend, the number of island hopping activities in Mactan Channel is increasing. It is an ideal team-building activities or even family reunions. Both local and international tourists meet along the shores of the little islands surrounding mactan channel.

Here is our Entire Island Hopping activity:

Loading From Small banca to the pumpboat:

First Stop: Sulpa Island

This is what it looks like when I set foot on the island

Anchor’s up! Set the course to the Next Destination! Matthew doing his thing.

Chitchats while cruisin’

Next Stop: Hilutungan Island We were not able to go near the island because of some fee issues.

The waters near Hilutungan is so refreshing, but beware of the strong current.

Here are some underwater shots from Kayamann Cotiango’s cam: James Pilapil on his underwater quest.

The whole crew underwater. Roots Revival Divers.. 🙂

Kayamann mic check

Joseph Flores’ underwater pose

Now, you might wonder why I do not have my solo underwater photo, it is actually in “about me” section. hehe..

Last Stop: Olango Island

There is actually nothing much to see in this area but sea orchins. 🙂

A School of Motorboats hired by Island Hoppers on a Sunday.

A day in a motorboat would be great. You can swim, or you may just feel the gentle breeze and do sight seeing; with this, you can relieve yourself from stress. Yeah, just splash your worries and stress away!

How To Get There: From the city proper, you can always take a cab going to Maribago. You just need to contact a motor banca operator and book a day use. After that, you negotiate and agree on where to meet. We usually meet up with the operator in Maribago, Lapu-lapu. (beside Imperial Palace).

Who to contact? I do not have the number personally, but you can always search it in google.

The Manila Ocean Park is the ultimate destination for individuals, couples, groups, or families who love to seek marine life adventures and education with entertainment in one place. It draws tourists because of its ideal location. It is located right at the heart of Manila, adjacent to Quirino Grandstand and Luneta Park. It is owned and operated by China Oceanis Philippines and opened to public in 2008.

How To Get There:From NAIA, you can just simply take a cab going to the Manila Ocean Park. It is just walking distance from the Port Area (Eva Macapagal Wharf). You can just easily locate the park since it is just beside Quirino Grandstand. The nearest MRT station is MRT 3 UN ave station. If you are planning to check in a hotel within Metro Manila and visit Ocean Park, I suggest you look for a hotel within Manila central district area.

Activities & Amenities:

The Oceanarium

Giant Aripaima

Philippine Crocodile

Red Pacu

Seahorses (doin some lovin’)

Butterfly fish

Horn Fish

And All other Fishes:

The Jellies Exhibit

The Musical Fountain Show

Penguin Talk Show

Trails to Antarctica (real life penguins)

Snow Village

You can actually experience snow here in the Philippines.. 🙂

Sea Lion Show

All Star Bird Show

There are still a lot of activities that we have not tried like Shark Encounter where you actually swim with the sharks, aquanaut, and glass bottom boat ride. You can also find Bazaars, souvenir shops, and other establishments inside Manila Ocean Park. They have food stalls, restaurants, fastfoods, and more.

Does watching the photos of this entry entice you to visit The Manila Ocean Park? Then obey it! You can actually get good deals through Metrodeal and through different agents who deal promos for Ocean Park! I actually bought our tickets through Metrodeal.